Government launches Road to Zero Strategy

The Government confirms ambition to see at least half of new cars to be ultra-low emission by 2030 as ‘Road to Zero Strategy’ released.

Strategy sets out ambition for at least 50% — and as many as 70% — of new car sales to be ultra-low emission by 2030, alongside up to 40% of new vans.

Government will take steps to enable massive roll-out of infrastructure to support electric vehicle revolution.

Strategy sets the stage for the biggest technology advancement to hit UK roads since the invention of the combustion engine.

The proposals outlined in the Road to Zero Strategy, sets out plans to enable a massive expansion of green infrastructure across the country, reduce emissions from the vehicles already on the UK’s roads, and drive the uptake of zero emission cars, vans and trucks.

The government says it will lead the way by ensuring 25% of the central government car fleet was ultra-low emission by 2022 and that all new car purchases were ultra-low emission by default. As a result, the government says 100% of the fleet would be ultra-low emission by 2030.

By 2050 the government says it wants almost every car and van to be zero emission with the transition to be industry and consumer led with no bans on any fuel type or powertrain.

Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, said:

“The coming decades are going to be transformative for our motor industry, our national infrastructure and the way we travel. We expect to see more change in the transport sector over the next 10 years than we have in the previous century.

“We are expecting our economy and society to experience profound change, which is why we have marked the Future of mobility as one of the 4 grand challenges as part of our modern Industrial Strategy.

“The Road to Zero Strategy sets out a clear path for Britain to be a world leader in the zero emission revolution - ensuring that the UK has cleaner air, a better environment and a stronger economy.”